The draft class

DT Derek Wolfe — Only defensive end Elvis Dumervil has played more snaps among the Broncos’ defensive linemen than Wolfe has this season. Wolfe played 68 plays against the Bengals to go with six more on special teams. He finished with six tackles and knocked a pass down in Cincinnati, where he played his college career. For the year, he has now played on 87 percent of the defensive plays for the Broncos.

QB Brock Osweiler — Osweiler did not get into the game — the Broncos needed a 14-point fourth quarter with two Peyton Manning-led scoring drives to get the win over the Bengals — since the game was not decided until the final minutes. He has played four snaps for the season, three of those coming in the Sunday night win over the Saints.

RB Ronnie Hillman — Hillman played 13 plays on offense against the Bengals, finishing with just one carry for four yards. Hillman, though, should continue to get work in some of the Broncos’ passing looks at times because he continues to show he is a willing blocker in pass protection when needed. Manning has praised the rookie’s progress there. Hillman also appeared in the backfield alongside Willis McGahee for one play in the game, another formation the Broncos may use more as the season wears on.

CB Omar Bolden — Bolden played two snaps in the defense when the Broncos went to a different look in the dime package (six defensive backs) — his first appearance in the defense this season — and got in for 14 snaps on special teams. He has, however, likely lost the kickoff-return job as the Broncos want to put speedster Trindon Holliday in the lineup. Bolden, however, has shown enough in coverage that he should continue to get some spot work in the defense’s specialty packages.

C Philip Blake — He suffered a season-ending thumb injury in practice and has been placed on injured reserve. Blake continues to take part in the team’s meetings.

DE Malik Jackson — Jackson played six plays in the defense against the Bengals, his most activity since back-to-back games with eight plays against Atlanta and Houston. The Broncos used all eight defensive linemen on the 53-man roster against the Bengals.

LB Danny Trevathan — Trevathan continues to get increasing work in the Broncos’ nickel package (five defensive backs). He played a season-high 32 plays on defense against the Bengals, finishing with six tackles and his first sack of his career. He added three plays on special teams. The Broncos like Trevathan’s work thus far and figure to continue to pair him with Wesley Woodyard at the linebacker spots in the nickel.

The rest of the rookie class

LS Aaron Brewer — Brewer had eight snaps in Cincinnati — three punts, a field goal and four extra points. He also, for the second consecutive game, had a special teams tackle, giving him two for the season.

S Duke Ihenacho — Ihenacho, having been signed to the 53-man roster when linebacker Joe Mays went to injured reserve, was on the gameday roster in Cincinnati and appeared on special teams. In all he played seven plays, finishing with one tackle, and has now played 15 plays on special teams this season, with eight of those coming against Oakland.

LB Steven Johnson — After being a gameday inactive for three consecutive games, Johnson was in uniform against the Bengals and played 17 plays on special teams. He finished with one special teams tackle in the game.

C/G Quentin Saulsberry, T Darrion Weems and S Blake Gideon are currently working on the Broncos’ practice squad. Gideon, who started 52 consecutive games at Texas (second in school history), was in training camp with the Arizona Cardinals. Weems was in training camp with both the Patriots and Vikings this past summer and had started the season on the Colts’ practice squad. Saulsberry was in camp with the Vikings as well.

WASHINGTON — Thirty games into the 82-game NHL season, and nearly six weeks after the Matt Duchene trade, Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic discussed the state of his team before Tuesday’s 5-2 loss at the Washington Capitals.